To the editor:

The national news media and the federal government are telling us almost daily that there is a light shining brightly at the end of the recessionary tunnel. However, if you are unemployed, monitoring a retirement fund, living on a fixed income, worried about pending utility rate increases or a small businessman struggling with decreased sales, you might challenge this premise as overly optimistic.

Many of us are very concerned about the needs of others as local residents suffer cuts in social services due to Pennsylvania budget constraints, news of those whose unemployment benefits are running out, cuts in and loss of employer paid benefits and electric, gas and oil price increases. Christmas shopping budgets will probably be compromised out of necessity.

All of us need to give consideration to our local business community. You know - the very folks who sponsor our festivals and fairs, sports teams and reunions, fire companies and churches, clubs and organizations, fundraisers and the United Way. These are the local business people and merchants who give back to our community by donating and volunteering, by hiring local workers, by purchasing supplies from local vendors, by allowing local delivery people the means of a job, by banking in our local banks. In other words, dollars spent in the Juniata River Valley pass repeatedly through many sets of local hands and the profits are invested in our communities and municipalities.

Internet purchases, catalog ordering, trips to out-of-town shopping centers and shopping done on cable television shopping networks are a one-way pipeline right out of town; none of the dollars and benefits stick to our local economy. NONE! Those dollars benefit strangers, not our friends and neighbors, coworkers and caregivers.

We are blessed with a huge assortment of local merchants, services and restaurants, countless shopping opportunities run by shopkeepers who know and care about us and our families. Think about the ease of returns and exchanges, the added cost of gasoline, our time and meals to travel out of the area and the well-being of our local business people. Let's make a strong statement this holiday season by spending our bucks at home. We will reap the benefits over and over again all year long.

Happy shopping to all 72,000 of you "good-natured" residents of the Juniata River Valley, living in tandem with our scenic "good nature." Stop by the historic courthouse during the 13th annual Festival of Ice on Dec. 3, 4 and 5 and allow us to wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Jim Tunall

Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau